How to dispose of garden hoses is simple once you know they are one of the worst things to put in a recycling cart. Hoses, like cords and string lights, wrap around sorting machinery and shut lines down. Most hoses are made from vinyl, rubber, or blends with reinforcing mesh, which makes them hard to recycle. Repair, repurposing, or the trash are the usual answers, with metal fittings going to scrap.
Repair first
Many hose problems are cheap to fix:
- Leaky ends: replace the coupling with a repair fitting.
- Holes or splits: cut out the damaged section and join with a mender.
- Leaking connection: replace the rubber washer inside the female end.
Repair kits are inexpensive at hardware stores.
Repurpose ideas
- Soaker hose: poke small holes and use it in garden beds.
- Edge protectors: slit a short piece and slide it over saw blades or sharp tool edges.
- Handle grips: for buckets or wagon handles.
- Door stoppers or bumpers in garages.
- Tree ties: soft sleeves for wire supports on young trees.
- Garden bed edging to mark planting areas.
Recycling options
Curbside programs almost never accept hoses. A few specialty recyclers and occasional manufacturer programs take them, but they are uncommon. Check your city’s recycling guide or a local recycling directory.
Disposing of hoses
| Part | Destination |
|---|---|
| Brass or aluminum fittings | Scrap metal |
| Hose body | Trash, cut into shorter lengths |
| Plastic fittings | Trash |
| Hose reels | Metal reels to scrap; plastic reels to trash or bulky pickup |
| Spray nozzles | Metal to scrap; plastic to trash |
Cut hoses into 2- to 3-foot sections and bag them so they do not tangle in trucks or blow out.
Hose reels and carts
Metal reels and carts are scrap metal once wheels and plastic parts are removed. Plastic reels often go to bulky trash pickup.
Drinking water note
Older or non-drinking-water hoses can contain materials you would not want in drinking water. If you buy a replacement for filling pet bowls or RV tanks, look for hoses labeled as drinking water safe.
Making the next hose last longer
Most hoses die from kinks, sun, and freezing. Store hoses on a reel or hanger out of direct sun, drain them before winter, and bring them inside or into a shed in freezing climates. Avoid running over hoses with mowers and cars. Rubber and rubber-blend hoses generally last longer than thin vinyl ones and resist kinking better, which means fewer hoses headed to the trash over time.
Soaker and expandable hoses
Soaker hoses and expandable fabric hoses are handled the same way: repair if you can, scrap any metal fittings, and trash the rest in short bagged pieces.
How to dispose of garden hoses FAQ
Can garden hoses go in the recycling bin?
No. They tangle sorting equipment and are rarely recyclable curbside.
How do I throw away a garden hose?
Cut it into short sections, bag it, and put it in the trash. Scrap metal fittings separately.
Can garden hoses be repaired?
Yes. Menders, replacement couplings, and new washers fix most leaks.
Are brass hose fittings recyclable?
Yes, as scrap metal.
What can I do with an old garden hose?
Make a soaker hose, tool edge protectors, handle grips, or garden edging.
The bottom line
How to dispose of garden hoses: try a cheap repair, repurpose old sections around the garden and garage, cut off brass fittings for scrap, and cut the rest into short pieces for the trash. Keep hoses out of the recycling cart.
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